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If you live in an area with plentiful rainfall and moisture, it’s likely you’re already acquainted with the damage that water can do to a home. Luckily, there’s a way to prevent water damage, even during some flooding: installing a sump pump. Sump pumps are a straightforward and convenient way to keep water from damaging your basement, and despite the high initial price point, these products are guaranteed to save you money in the long run.
Sump Pump Installation Cost Estimate
What is a Sump Pump?
A sump pump protects your basement, or other ground or below-ground level floor, against flood and water damage. Consisting of a motor unit with water-level or pressure sensing valves, it can pump water out of one area and discharge it into another area well away from your home. Sump pumps are subterranean and are typically placed in a constructed pit (also called a “basin”) below your floor.
Water drains into and collects in this pit, and then is pumped back out. This makes sump pumps an inconspicuous and convenient way to remove unwanted water from your home. There are several models of sump pumps available, allowing you to choose which will best meet your needs, but all operate under the same essential principles and mechanics.
Why Do I Need a Sump Pump?
If your basement, crawl space or any other ground-level building is prone to flooding or water buildup, you need a sump pump. Left unattended, water can cause serious damage to your possessions and to the infrastructure of your home.
Warping, toxic mold growth and the weakening of your home’s structural integrity—whether by means of rot or cracks in your foundation—can all result from water damage. Whether you’re dealing with floods, heavy rainfall or the standard basement moisture, installing a sump pump can ensure that your home stays dry, undamaged and free of mold.
Cost of a Sump Pump Installation
Sump pump installations can be unexpectedly costly, especially if you are installing a pump for the first time in a space previously unprepared for installation. While prices for an average sump pump unit are fairly affordable, the number quickly grows when you start factoring in the cost of professional installation or, if going the DIY-route, any materials that need to be purchased.
In general, for a professional installation, expect to pay around $1,200. For a unit only, expect to shell out between $250 to $375.
Additional Factors Impacting Cost
Type of Sump Pump
Sump pumps come in two major types, each with a different price point.
Pedestal Sump Pumps: Pedestal pumps are separated into two parts—the motor and the pump—and are the least expensive, usually ranging from $75 to $200 per unit. Installation is also significantly less expensive, with a high-end of around $800. The motors of pedestal pumps are not waterproof, since they sit above the basin and are not submerged, but this also causes them to be louder and to take up more space. On the other hand, pedestal pumps have a longer lifespan than submersible pumps. They are a good choice for areas with only minor flooding or water issues, since they are best-equipped to handle small volumes of water.
Submersible Sump Pumps: Submersible pumps combine the motor and pump into a single unit and are what most people think of when they think of a classic sump pump. Like its name describes, a submersible sump pump is submerged within the basin, saving space and reducing noise. They are well-equipped to handle large volumes of water and should be fully water- and rust-proof. Due to the submersion element, these units have a shorter lifespan than pedestal pumps and are more difficult to reach in the event of maintenance or malfunctioning issues. Unit and installation prices quoted in this article are for submersible sump pumps.
Replacement vs. New Installation
Replacing an old sump pump will always cost less than a new installation, since all the additional preparation required has already been done. If you are only replacing, expect to pay closer to the unit cost of your new sump pump along with labor costs (between $200 and $600), particularly if nothing else needs to be replaced or repaired. The average cost of repairing a sump pump is $475, with high costs averaging $550 and low costs averaging $400.
Extra Features or Units
As a fail-safe, some homeowners also choose to purchase battery backups, pump filters, water level alarms and even pump backups with an initial sump pump purchase. While these will help save your home from water damage if your sump pump fails or the electricity goes out during a storm, each of these will cost you extra to buy and install.
Flooring Preparation
Depending on your type of flooring and the complexity of your basement or crawl space infrastructure (e.g. if the lowest point of your basement is not readily accessible), your sump pump installation may cost more. If you have a concrete basement floor, for example, the section of the floor where the sump pump will be installed must first be removed.
Thicker concrete takes longer to break apart, leading to a higher demolition and installation cost. On the other hand, a dirt crawl space needs no such preparation, but may be more difficult and time-consuming to reach and reinforce.
Note that submersible sump pumps can also be installed outside, if you have an outdoor space that is prone to flooding; however, consult with a contractor before installing since the process may differ from a standard install within a home.
Pre-Existing Water Buildup or Damage
If your house already has water buildup or damage, your contractor may first request that you dry your house before installing a sump pump. While this is not always necessary, depending on the extent of the damage, if it is required the process of drying your basement or crawlspace—especially during a rainy season—may be time-intensive and expensive.
Location and Permits
In areas with known flooding, rainfall or humidity issues, expect fluctuations in sump pump installation cost—especially if you are trying to install during a rainier season since contractors may be juggling multiple jobs. Some areas may also require city or local-level government permits before you install a sump pump.
Often this has to do with the drainage point for your pump, because if the water is not drained into an area that can take a high volume of water, it may lead to unwanted damage. One such example might be accidentally draining into a location where it would affect the structural integrity of a sidewalk or road. Some localities may also require you to have a drainage point set at a minimum distance from your home or other buildings.
DIY vs Professional Installation
While you can install sump pumps yourself, we don’t advise doing so unless you have experience and know what you are doing. If your sump pump is not installed correctly, or is put in the wrong location, the cost of fixing any resulting water damage will far outstrip the cost of hiring a professional in the first place. With enough preparation, a DIY sump pump install can be relatively straightforward.
You may need to prepare the “pit” or “basin” (the place where the sump pump sits and water collects), in addition to installing the sump pump, connecting the appropriate hoses and pipes and testing the machine itself. A well-prepared and experienced DIYer can finish the project in as little as a day, barring floor prep and finish complications
A professional installation will range in cost from $600 to $1,800 for the sump pump unit plus labor, with an average cost of around $1,200. Final cost will depend on a variety of factors, including location and the complexity of the installation. Ask for a price quote from your contractor. A good contractor will also be able to recommend the best choice of sump pump for your needs.
Despite the high initial price point of installing a sump pump, keep in mind that whatever the initial cost of installation, any costs incurred by water damage would be far greater. A sump pump is an excellent long-term investment for your home.